Rafa preparing for Beijing ...

Further update on Rafa's training following the abdominal injury and a decision will be taken today as to whether he goes to Beijing. I think he will do, and then they'll take it from there. It seems that Rafa is still getting twinges from it, and the work being done on his serve ... well, I can't decide whether they are re-working it to cause less strain for Rafa or whether he needs work to get him back to his level again. Clearly the serve was a major issue at the USO, but lets see.

Here's a translation courtesy or NadalNews of Rafa's interview:-

"He’s recuperated his abdominal but is starting at zero because the tear forces him to change the way he serves to not strain the abdominal.

The laughter and good vibes are justifications that the injury (is in the) past. I have no pain. The tests say that everything is very good although it is clear that I can pinch a little but we can say the injury is practically healed. Today I began training a little the serve (kick gesture) more than anything to see how it is and the truth its going well. Now will try to finish the year as best as possible and prepare good for start next year with strength. The next commitment starts next week in Beijing. A destination that is still in the air.

(The Spaniard/Manacori) will submit to a review tomorrow to see the actual state of the injury and if everything is correct Nadal goes on Thursday to Asian giant (Beijing).

I think I will go. I think I will go.

Davis Cup is an important objective. This year I played first round, after I had bad luck and could not be in the two following and I hope I am in the final to contribute to winning it another time."

Just cos ...

... zzzzz. Its boring out there and there's no real Rafanews. So how about some lovely pics!!!

Rafa back in practice ...

Rafa is back on the practice courts in an attempt to be fit for Beijing. He's sporting what seems to be slightly shorter hair again ... but he's Rafa, and still gorgeous.

Rafa's proposal plans scuppered !!!

Last week Rafa withdrew from the Thailand Open ...

"An ultrasound found that Nadal had an "acute rupture of his right abdominal muscle" that will require physiotherapy, rest and medication for "two to three weeks," the chief doctor of the Spanish Tennis Federation said in a statement released by tournament organizers on Monday."

Poor Rafatum ...

But *yikes* ... Rafa's withdrawal from the competition meant that he also had to cancel on a planned holiday to the Thai island of Krabi. This - apparently - was to be a little bit more than a holiday as "a source" revealed that Rafa maybe was about to "pop the question" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here's the rumour ...

"The 23 year old had booked into the five-star Thailand resort of Rayavadee, picking the three-bedroom villa facing the sea, for himself and Maria Francesca Perello, 20, whom he has been with for four years. He also reserved a private boat for a day, private plane and three dedicated butlers. The trip had set him back around £50,000 and a source says: “It was to be a very important holiday for the two of them and Nadal wanted everything to be as romantic as possible, leading to speculation that he is thinking of proposing.”

Aaah well ... so what to do when your plans to propose to your girlfriend fall through ... clear off to the French Riveria with your mates seems to have been the order the of day!!!!

Poor Xisca ...

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/129241/Raf-loses-Thai-break

One last post on the AW77 hoodie ... promise!!!

OK ... I know I've done this subject to death, but one last indulgence, pleeeeeeeeease.

Attached the is the video clip interviewing Rafa as he's making the promo vid. And he looks gorgeous in it.

Hug a Hoodie ...

Phwoar ... lets once again see the lovely photos from the Nike AW77 Campaign along with the video clip that has been released.

Rafa looks hot, young ... dare I say, "with it", and naturally .... gorgeous.

Rafa's back home ...

Rafa took the 9 pm flight out of New York on Sunday night to go back home and rest his poorly tum. Attached are clips of the match with Juan Martin DelPotro plus an interview with Rafa (with his eyes looking even more chocolate than ever ...).

As we are still working hard on improving our Spanish, attached is a translation from NadalNews ...


"It is playing in a very high level … I have my problems but I would rather not talk about my problems when I just lose because the end is always an excuse .. I feel is ugly talking about my problems. Just congratulate him because he has been better than me and from now on, I’ll try to cure me so that when I play again, I’ll try to play with less pain than I’ve had these two weeks here. For everything else, I realize I have to improve a bit .. to win big tournaments .. because with all that has happened during the year, the bad luck of injuries, the truth is that I lack a bit to be better and obtain the level I need to qualify for all great tournaments … and not only positive, we must be realistic in this situation and also when you comes back from injury of two months with the knees you have a lot doubts .. I would had signed this tour before starting and even with worse results because you never know how you be .. for me it was vital that the knees do not hurt me at any time during these tournaments, I’ve running freely and this at the end gives a lot of life to me and the truth is that in Montreal quarterfinals, semis in Cincy and semi-finals here is a very good result, but one always want more."

Rafa's post USO semi-final presser ...

Rafa has been obviously carryng an abdominal strain in the USO which first occured back in Montreal in August, but Rafa being Rafa, he carried on regardless.

His obvious pain and discomfort was there for all to see in the Almagro match when the trainer was called on to help aid the poorly tummy ... (what a job. Mind you, I would be treating it with my tongue ... not much use to Rafa). Subsequent to that, all the press have wanted to talk about is this latest injury, to which Rafa wouldn't play ball. It now turns out that Rafa has an abdominal tear, and needs about 4 weeks out to recover. Fortunately, with withdrawing from the Davis Cup and the natural break after the USO, plus the rumours that Rafa may drop one of the 500 series tournaments in the Far East, he should be fine. The good news is that the knees seem to be OK.

Here's Rafa's take on it all from his blog ...

"The semi-final match was not the best I've played and that loss will help me think about some things and hopefully keep improving. I wasn't really there yesterday. The other guy simply played much better than me and I feel I am not playing at that level needed to win a major."

"Lots of people asked me about my injury and also if that affected my game. The truth is that I didn't play well and there is no excuse whatsoever for the defeat. He played better and deserved to win."

Rafateer in NYC ...

Our noble Rafateer leader - Clare - took the long (and expensive) trip to New York to go and cheer on our boy ... oh, and watch a bit of tennis too. Her dedication to the cause should be applauded as she has been left cold and soggy on more than one occasion and sadly, our boy didn't make it too.

However, she has put together a blog to share all her moments with us, so here it is also as a permanent record of her adventure in the Big Apple.

*Respect* to Clare xxx *smooch*

http://rafateerinnyc.blogspot.com/

Rafa bows out of the US Open for another year ...

Rafa bowed out at the semi-final stage today to Juan-Martin DelPotro in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 scoreline. JMDP played a blinder of a match and I could go on with the obvious references to injury as Rafa's play and movement was not, well ... Rafa, but lets concentrate on the positives.

When Rafa is on his game, a semi-final berth is a great result at this tournament. Considering that it is only his third tournament back and he's reach a quarter, a semi and a semi-final at a Slam tournament shows the determination of the man. He's regained the number 2 spot, but he now needs this period of rest. He's got matches under his belt, so now its onwards and upwards for the rest of the season.

I will be interested to see how Rafa feels about this in a couple of hours, but *applause* to him ... he makes us proud.

Rafa and Nike's "THE AW77" campaign ...

Rafa appears in this fantastic Nike campaign looking hot and photographing really well. Here's Rafa's take on integrity and fashion ...

“I think in the end, the most important thing is being true to yourself, being honest with yourself. You know what you are doing wrong, then, you correct and improve.” “Off the court, I see that being normal will help you be better on the court. I like more or less to feel comfortable with what I wear on and off the court. And I like to be well dressed.” Rafael Nadal

http://slamxhype.com/fashion/david-sims-and-karl-templer-for-nike-sportswear-the-aw77-featuring-rafael-nadal/

Rafa KO's Keifer ...

Match report provided by Miri at NadalNews:-

For his second round match at the USO, Rafa took on former top ten but currently ranked #129 Nicolas Kiefer during the last match of the day in Arthur Ashe stadium. Rafa started out on fire while Kiefer looked like he wasn’t quite awake yet. It took just 24 minutes for Rafa to serve up a first set bagel. After that, however, things got tricky. Rafa lost a bit of concentration, then confidence and his play became more passive. He worked his way back into the match, however and won: 6-0 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Rafa defeats Reechard ...

Match report provided by Miri at NadalNews.

It was the battle of the comeback kids today on Arthur Ashe court: Rafa on his way back from a knee injury and Gasquet returning from a doping suspension. Rafa had more recent matches under his belt and a solid winning record against his friend, so it was quite possibly the worst first round draw Gasquet could get. His play showed how he felt about that – it was tentative and rusty. Rafa’s? Colm, concentrated and crisp. He defeats Gasquet: 6-2 6-2 6-3.

Rafa answers Wooffie's question ...

Well ... I did it!! The great man answered my question:-

I was wondering if the All England Club at Wimbledon have ever asked for an item from you to display in their museum. If so, what was it? Julie

RN: Yes I have but I don't remember exactly what. Not sure if it was a shirt I used or the shoes.

Silly Rafa!! A poster in the Comments revealed that he donated the shorts and shirt he wore in the 2008 final, along with the Spanish flag he carried around at the end. All of which are signed. But ... its great when you feel that lovely Rafa has actually spoken to you. *love*

http://timesonline.typepad.com/rafael_nadal/2009/09/rafa-replies-why-i-hope-andy-murray-doesnt-win-the-us-open.html

Not ANOTHER practice clip ??? ...

Yep ... I know, they get boring. However, this is just about the right length and ...

• Rafa is wearing a sleeveless top.
• In blue ... which shows off the tan.
• The muscles are sweaty and glistening.
• He's doing loads of Rafastruts.
• He flashes the Rafatum.
• He emits some Rafagrunts.

But on the whole ... I think this boy looks determined. Vamos Rafa!!!

Hot bod ...

I love it when he shakes the sweaty hair ...


... and shows off the treasure trail.


Phwoar!!!

The Rafarun ...

Rafa was spotted at Flushing Meadow in full jog mode. He initially had a practice session near the show courts, but upon completion, took and jog and went to practice some more on an outside court !!!